Born and raised in M’Chigeeng First Nation, Linda Debassige is a devoted mother to two children and grandmother to one. Linda graduated with honours from Civil Engineering Technology in at Confederation College in Thunder Bay, and holds a Certificate in Negotiations from Osgoode Hall Law School.
First elected to M’Chigeeng First Nation Council in 2013, Debassige was Chief from 2015-2023. During her tenure within the governance of M’Chigeeng, she participated in numerous portfolios, committees, and boards locally, regionally, and nationally, across many sectors including but not limited to treaty, infrastructure, water, housing, environment, policing, mental health and addictions, community safety, economic development, education, health, emergency management, and community development. She is currently serving as the Grand Council Chief of the Anishinabek Nation following a Traditional Stand-Up Election in June 2024.
Linda is known for her strong leadership style, knowledge, dedication, and passion for all First Nations people and is often called upon for advice and advocacy for Indigenous communities, organizations, and leadership.
Notably, Linda was the first Indigenous Trustee to hold the position of Vice Chair of the largest school board in Northern Ontario, the Rainbow District School Board. She also serves as a co-lead for the Assembly of First Nations on the co-development of the First Nation Safe Drinking Water and Wastewater Legislation.
